Folding duck retriever



1957 D. D. ERDMAN FOLDING DUCK RETRIEVER Filed Aug. '26, 1955 INVENTOR M f m R -I E I? D x 3 w m m f \w I v/ E! nu a 2 H,

United States. Patent FOLDING DUCK RETRIEVER Donald D. Erdmau, Kodiak, Territory of Alaslm Application August 26, 1955, Serial No. 530,705

Claims. (Cl. 43-1) This invention relates to retrieving devices used to recover water game, floating or submerged articles or the like that would otherwise be lost.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a retrieving device that can be cast relatively long distances with a net attached to a frame element of suitable size for recovering water game and articles and wherein floats are provided for keeping the retriever opening at the proper level in the water.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a retrieving device of the above type which may be adjusted so as to retrieve articles of varying size and wherein the buoyant elements may be folded so as to mesh with a portion of the frame for greater compactness when carrying and in storage.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a folding duck retriever having the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture, and efiicient in operation.

For other objects and a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in operative position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, 10, indicate generally a pair of complementary U-shaped frame elements including the central portions 11 and parallel extending portions 12, each terminating in a laterally bent flange 13, substantially as illustrated.

The adjacent side portions 12 overlap each other and are slidably connected by means of the sleeves 14, the displacement of which are limited by the flanges 13 whereby to permit the U-shaped elements 10 to be adjusted and to present an entrance or mouth opening therewithin of variable size.

A wire net indicated generally at 15 is secured by means of the looped ends 16 thereof to the elements 10, 10 (Fig. 2).

A securing line 16' is tied about the elements 10.

A pair-of rectangular buoyant float members 17 are provided with the lateral notches 18 on their inner faces which receive therewithin the vertical bight portions 11 of the U-shaped elements. The floats 17 on their outer faces are provided with the inwardly extending bores 19 aligned with the grooves 18 and within which are positioned the bolts 20 having heads 21 (Fig. 3). The bolts 20 extend inwardly through openings 22 provided in the floats and through corresponding openings provided in the bight of the U-shaped elements, the inner ends of the bolts 20 being secured by means of the nuts 23. A spring 24 sleeves the bolts 20 intermediate the head 21 and "ice the inner end of bore 19'. The inner faces of the floats 17 are provided with the longitudinally extending slots 25 adapted to receive therewithin the bight of the U-shaped elements 10 upon compression of spring 24 and rotation of the floats relative to the elements to provide a more compact structure for convenience in carrying.

Truss lines 26 connect the rear ends of the floats 17 with the upper ends of the elements while truss lines 27 connect the forward ends of the floats with the lower ends of the elements. It will be noted that the truss lines 26, 27 are provided on alternate sides to permit the rotation of the floats relative to the elements while at the same time reinforcing their connection. The truss lines 26 and 27 are connected to the elements 10 by means of suitable openings provided in the latter (Fig. 2).

A yoke line 28 is connected to the front ends of the floats 17 and to a hand line 29.

The device may be cast underhand by hand and retrieved by use of the hand line 29 attached thereto. The device may be adjusted by moving the elements 10 relative to each other to provide a larger net bag opening and may be drawn over Weeds and logs by pulling the device up or down by means of the line 29 without becoming entangled therein, drawn up banks and inclines without losing the contents and can be used submerged by attaching to the floats the weights 30. The truss lines 26, 27 are provided for strength and rigidity to absorb shock. The device can be cast over fallen water game and articles and retrieved by winding in the line 29 so that the center of the yoke 28 passes over the object allowing it to enter through the entrance opening provided by the elements into the net bag and be drawn out of the water. The net 15 trails behind the folding duck retriever as it is drawn through the water.

It should now be apparent that there has been provided a folding duck retriever which presents an opening at right angles to the surface of the water, which opening is adjustable and has a net attached thereto to retain articles and wherein truss lines are attached for strength and rigidity and to which weights may be attached for retrieving submerged articles.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A folding retriever comprising a pair of complementary U-shaped elements slidably connected together so as to present an entrance of variable size, a net connected to said elements, float means connected to the bight portions of said elements, and line means connected to said floats for drawing the device through the water.

2. A folding retriever according to claim 1, said float means comprising a pair of elongated floats having slots on their inner faces receiving said elements disposed at right angles thereto, spring loaded pivotal fastening means connecting the floats with said elements, the inner faces of said floats having longitudinally extending slots adapted to receive the bight portions of the elements therewithin when said elements and said floats are rotated relative to each other.

3. A folding retriever according to claim 2, said line means comprising a yoke line connected to the forward ends of said floats, and a line connected to the central section of said yoke, and truss lines connecting the ends of said floats to the bight portions of said elements, said truss lines being disposed on alternate sides at opposite ends of said floats to permit the rotation of said floats on said elements.

4. A folding retriever according to claim 3, including weights connected to said floats whereby to adapt the device for retrieving submerged articles.

5. A folding retriever according to claim 4, said elements each comprising a central elongated member integrally formed at right angles thereto With parallel extending members, corresponding extending members overlapping each other, and sleeves surrounding said overlapping members, the ends of said parallel extending sleeves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Adams Jan. 3, 1950 Abrassart Nov. 1, 1955 

